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The 3 Most Costly Limo Insurance Claims

LONG BEACH, N.Y. — Lancer Insurance Company, a leading U.S. limo insurer, has compiled a list and accompanying infographic of the three most costly limo claims.

Left-hand turns. Accidents occurring when left-hand turns are made into oncoming traffic on two-way roads are either head-on or T-bone crashes, producing multiple serious injuries to the occupants of all involved vehicles. Left-hand turn accidents represented only 2.5% of total claims reported to Lancer in 2011, but accounted for a staggering 21.7% of claim dollars paid.

To avoid these crashes, chauffeurs should realize that their vehicles are often larger and take more time to clear oncoming traffic than a normal sized private passenger automobile. Be patient and wait for all oncoming traffic to pass before making the turn.

It is also difficult to gauge an oncoming vehicle’s speed, especially at night. Do not begin the turn into you are sure you have enough time to complete it safely.

Intersection crashes. These crashes are costly because they usually involve several moving vehicles and multiple passenger injuries. While only making up 5.8% of total claims reported, intersection crashes account for 12.8% of total claim dollars paid.

Beware of “stale green lights” that are bound to change to red as you approach, and cover your brake in anticipation. Never assume that the driver of an approaching vehicle is prepared to obey signage or traffic signals directing him or her to stop.

Pedestrian/bicyclist hits. While making up only 0.018% of total claims, limo accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists make up 3.7% of total claims paid. There are few, if any, accidents worse than this. They occur more frequently than expected and often have tragic results. Pedestrians jay-walk, walk behind moving vehicles, cross from between parked cars, exit parked cars without looking, and can be so distracted by their smartphones that they do dumb things, like walk in front of a limo.

Chauffeurs need to give driving their full attention and slow down, scan left and right, and be prepared to stop.